University teaching assistant
Also known as: higher education teaching assistant, teaching assistant in universities, university teaching aide, teaching assistant in higher education, TA, teaching assistant
About this occupation
University teaching assistants are graduate students or recent graduates employed on a temporary contract at a university or a college for teaching-related responsibilities. They assist the professor, lecturer or teacher of the specific course they are in charge of in the preparation of lectures and of exams, grading papers and exams and leading review and feedback sessions for the students.
A specialisation of higher education lecturer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- assessment processes
- prepare lesson content
- curriculum objectives
- give constructive feedback
- assist students in their learning
- supervise practical courses
- provide lesson materials
- guarantee students' safety
- university procedures
- assess students
- provide assistance to lecturer
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-9044.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Teach undergraduate-level courses.
- Evaluate and grade examinations, assignments, or papers, and record grades.
- Lead discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections.
- Develop teaching materials, such as syllabi, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, or course Web sites.
- Inform students of the procedures for completing and submitting class work, such as lab reports.
- Return assignments to students in accordance with established deadlines.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Instructing, Learning Strategies, Writing
US median pay: US$42,910 a year (2025), 164,090 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.7)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
- Instructional Coordinators
- Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education
- Teaching Assistants, Special Education
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.